# Gurudwara Sahib Sandakan | Sabah, Malaysia > Discover Gurudwara Sahib Sandakan, a historic Sikh Gurdwara in Sabah, Malaysia, founded in 1924. Open to all for prayer, Langar, and community service. # Gurudwara Sahib Sandakan Get Directions Share: Entry: Dress Code: Gurudwara Sahib Sandakan is a historic Sikh place of worship situated in Sandakan, Sabah, on the northeastern coast of the island of Borneo in Malaysia. It stands as one of the oldest and most significant Gurdwaras in the state of Sabah, serving as a spiritual home, community hub, and service centre for the Sikh diaspora in the Sandakan region. The Gurdwara is located at coordinates 5.8421418°N, 118.1224845°E, within the urban fabric of Sandakan town, and is easily accessible to both local residents and visitors. The congregation at Gurudwara Sahib Sandakan upholds the core Sikh tenets of Naam Japna (meditation on God's name), Kirat Karni (honest living), and Vand Chakna (sharing with others). The institution regularly hosts Nitnem (daily prayers), Akhand Paath (continuous reading of the Guru Granth Sahib), Kirtan Darbars (devotional music sessions), and celebrations of all major Gurpurabs (Sikh commemorative days). The Langar (community kitchen) operates in keeping with the foundational Sikh principle of seva (selfless service), offering free meals to all visitors regardless of faith, caste, or background. The Sikh presence in Sandakan traces its origins to the British colonial era, when Sikh soldiers and policemen were recruited from Punjab and deployed across British Malaya and British North Borneo. These pioneers laid down deep community roots that persisted through independence, war, and modernisation. Today, although the Sikh community in Sandakan is relatively small, it remains cohesive and active, with the Gurdwara serving as the anchor institution for community life. The current building, a double-storey brick structure officially opened on 4 September 1994, replaced an earlier wooden Gurdwara that had stood since 1925 before being demolished in 1985 to make way for road infrastructure. The Darbar Sahib (the main prayer hall housing the Guru Granth Sahib) occupies the first floor, while the ground floor accommodates the Langar hall, a fully equipped kitchen, the Granthi's residential quarters, and rooms for visiting pilgrims and travellers. The Gurdwara is believed to be affiliated with the Sikh Naujawan Sabha Malaysia (SNSM) and the broader network of Malaysian Gurdwaras coordinated by the Malaysian Gurdwaras Council (MGC). Gurudwara Sahib Sandakan welcomes people of all faiths and backgrounds and plays an important role in interfaith dialogue and community cohesion in the multicultural landscape of Sabah, Malaysia. ## Significance Gurudwara Sahib Sandakan holds deep spiritual, cultural, and historical significance for the Sikh community of Sabah and East Malaysia. As one of the oldest Sikh institutions in the state, it embodies over a century of Sikh heritage on the island of Borneo, bearing witness to the perseverance and faith of Punjabi immigrants who built a spiritual home thousands of miles from their ancestral homeland. Spiritually, the Gurdwara is a sanctified space where the Guru Granth Sahib — the eternal living Guru of the Sikhs — is installed and reverently treated. The daily recitation of Gurbani (holy scriptures), the performance of Kirtan, and the practice of Ardas (supplication) connect the congregation to the timeless teachings of the Ten Sikh Gurus, fostering spiritual growth and communal identity. Culturally, the Gurdwara functions as a custodian of Punjabi and Sikh heritage in a multicultural Malaysian setting. It provides a space for the Sikh community to celebrate Gurpurabs such as the birthdays of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and Guru Gobind Singh Ji, as well as Baisakhi and the martyrdom days of the Sikh Gurus. The institution also serves as a vital bridge between generations, helping younger Sikhs born in Malaysia maintain their connection to Sikh values, the Punjabi language, and shared cultural memory. The Langar tradition, in particular, is a powerful symbol of the Gurdwara's broader significance: by feeding all visitors without discrimination, it embodies the Sikh ideals of equality and service, earning respect and goodwill from the wider Sandakan community. ## Detailed History The history of Gurudwara Sahib Sandakan is inseparable from the wider story of Sikh migration to British North Borneo during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The British North Borneo Chartered Company, which administered the territory from 1881, actively recruited Sikh men from Punjab — known for their martial tradition and loyalty — to serve in the Government Armed Constabulary. These early Sikh settlers arrived in Sandakan, then the capital of British North Borneo, and gradually formed a tight-knit community. By the early 1920s, the Sikh population in Sandakan had grown sufficiently to warrant a dedicated place of worship. In 1924, members of the community pooled their resources and constructed the first Gurdwara Sahib in Sandakan — a double-storey wooden structure built on a land area of approximately 10,890 square feet. The Gurdwara was officially declared open in 1925, marking a landmark moment for Sikhs in Sabah. For decades, this building served as the spiritual and social nucleus of Sandakan's Sikh community, hosting prayers, celebrations, and langar. The community endured significant hardship during the Second World War, when Sandakan was occupied by Japanese forces from 1942 to 1945. The war period devastated much of the town's civilian infrastructure, and the Sikh community, like many others, suffered considerable losses. In the post-war years, the community gradually rebuilt and the Gurdwara resumed its central role. In 1985, the original wooden Gurdwara building was demolished to accommodate the construction of a link road to the Buli Sim Sim area of Sandakan. This necessitated the building of a new, modern facility. After careful planning and fundraising, construction of the new Gurdwara began, and by 1993 the new double-storey brick structure had been completed. The new Gurudwara Sahib Sandakan was officially declared open on 4 September 1994, ushering in a new chapter for the community. The building has since undergone maintenance and minor improvements to better serve the congregation. Regular Sunday prayers and Gurpurab celebrations continue to be held, keeping the traditions of the founding community alive for newer generations. ## Structures in the Complex ### Darbar Sahib Prayer Hall The main sanctified hall on the first floor of the Gurdwara where the Guru Granth Sahib is installed under a decorative Palki Sahib (canopy). This is the focal point of all worship, Kirtan, and congregational prayers. ### Langar Hall Community Dining Hall Located on the ground floor, the Langar hall is where free communal meals are served to all visitors following the Sikh principle of equality. It is equipped with seating and dining facilities for the congregation. ### Kitchen (Langar Kitchen) Kitchen A fully equipped kitchen on the ground floor where volunteer sewadars (selfless servers) prepare vegetarian meals for the Langar. Operates regularly on Sundays and during all major Gurpurabs. ### Nishan Sahib Religious Monument The tall flagpole bearing the triangular Sikh flag (Nishan Sahib) with the Khanda symbol, erected at the entrance of the Gurdwara. It serves as a visible symbol of the Sikh faith and marks the Gurdwara's presence in the neighbourhood. ### Visitor Accommodation Rooms Accommodation A set of rooms on the ground floor designated for visiting Sikh pilgrims, travellers, and community guests, in keeping with the Sikh tradition of providing shelter and hospitality to all in need. ## Visitor Information ### Dress Code Modest, respectful attire required. Head must be covered before entering — scarves or head coverings are available at the entrance. Shoes must be removed before entering the Gurdwara. ### Photography Photography is generally permitted in common areas with respect. Avoid disrupting prayers. Seek permission before photographing the Darbar Sahib interior. ### Etiquette Cover your head before entering. Remove shoes at the entrance. Wash hands before entering the Langar hall. Refrain from smoking, consuming alcohol, or bringing non-vegetarian food on the premises. Bow respectfully before the Guru Granth Sahib when entering the Darbar Sahib. ## Climate & Best Time to Visit ## Langar (Free Community Kitchen) The Langar hall is believed to accommodate approximately 50–80 diners at a time, suitable for the size of the local congregation. Seating Capacity ## Architecture The current Gurudwara Sahib Sandakan building, completed in 1993 and inaugurated in 1994, is a double-storey brick structure with a tiled roof that reflects a functional and modest architectural style characteristic of many community Gurdwaras in Southeast Asia. The design balances practicality with spiritual symbolism, incorporating elements typical of modern Sikh institutional architecture adapted to a tropical climate. The building is believed to feature a prominent Nishan Sahib — the triangular Sikh flag mounted on a tall flagpole — that marks the Gurdwara's presence and serves as a beacon for the faithful. The Darbar Sahib, the sanctified hall where the Guru Granth Sahib is installed under a decorative canopy (Palki Sahib), is located on the first floor, in keeping with the tradition of elevating the sacred space above ground level. The ground floor is given over to utilitarian functions: the Langar hall for communal dining, a fully equipped kitchen, the Granthi's residential quarters, and accommodation rooms for visiting pilgrims. The overall design prioritises community use and accessibility in a tropical Southeast Asian context. ## Structures in the Complex ### Darbar Sahib Prayer Hall The main sanctified hall on the first floor of the Gurdwara where the Guru Granth Sahib is installed under a decorative Palki Sahib (canopy). This is the focal point of all worship, Kirtan, and congregational prayers. ### Langar Hall Community Dining Hall Located on the ground floor, the Langar hall is where free communal meals are served to all visitors following the Sikh principle of equality. It is equipped with seating and dining facilities for the congregation. ### Kitchen (Langar Kitchen) Kitchen A fully equipped kitchen on the ground floor where volunteer sewadars (selfless servers) prepare vegetarian meals for the Langar. Operates regularly on Sundays and during all major Gurpurabs. ### Nishan Sahib Religious Monument The tall flagpole bearing the triangular Sikh flag (Nishan Sahib) with the Khanda symbol, erected at the entrance of the Gurdwara. It serves as a visible symbol of the Sikh faith and marks the Gurdwara's presence in the neighbourhood. ### Visitor Accommodation Rooms Accommodation A set of rooms on the ground floor designated for visiting Sikh pilgrims, travellers, and community guests, in keeping with the Sikh tradition of providing shelter and hospitality to all in need. ## Events & Celebrations ### Gurpurab #### Guru Nanak Dev Ji Prakash Utsav The celebration of the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism. The Gurdwara holds Akhand Paath, Kirtan Darbar, Nagar Kirtan (procession), and extended Langar open to the wider community. #### Guru Gobind Singh Ji Prakash Utsav Celebration of the birth anniversary of the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, with special prayers, Kirtan, and Langar. ### Festival #### Baisakhi The Sikh New Year and the anniversary of the founding of the Khalsa Panth in 1699 by Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Celebrated with special prayers, Kirtan, and community Langar. #### Hola Mohalla The Sikh festival of Hola Mohalla, established by Guru Gobind Singh Ji, celebrated with prayers and community gatherings at the Gurdwara. ### Weekly Congregation #### Sunday Diwan The weekly congregational prayer service held every Sunday morning, featuring recitation of Gurbani, Kirtan, Ardas, and Langar. The central weekly gathering of the Sandakan Sikh community. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### History The first Gurdwara in Sandakan was built in 1924 by Sikh members of the British North Borneo Company's Government Armed Constabulary and was officially opened in 1925. The current building was completed in 1993 and officially opened on 4 September 1994. ### Visitor Information Yes, the Gurdwara is open to people of all faiths and backgrounds. Visitors are welcome to attend prayers, tour the premises, and partake in the free Langar (community meal), provided they observe the basic etiquette of covering their head and removing shoes. Visitors should dress modestly and ensure their head is covered at all times inside the Gurdwara. Head coverings are usually available at the entrance if you do not have one. Shoes must be removed before entering. ### Langar Langar is the Sikh tradition of a free community kitchen that serves vegetarian meals to all visitors without distinction of religion, caste, or background. Gurudwara Sahib Sandakan provides Langar after Sunday prayers and on all major Gurpurab occasions. ### Transport The Gurdwara is located in Sandakan, Sabah. The nearest airport is Sandakan Airport (SDK), approximately 8–10 km away. From the airport or town centre, taxis or Grab ride-hailing services are the most convenient options to reach the Gurdwara. ### Events The Gurdwara celebrates all major Sikh festivals including Guru Nanak Dev Ji's Prakash Utsav (birthday), Guru Gobind Singh Ji's Prakash Utsav, Baisakhi (Sikh New Year and the founding of the Khalsa), Hola Mohalla, and the martyrdom anniversaries of the Sikh Gurus. ### Facilities The Gurdwara has a limited number of rooms available for visiting pilgrims and travellers on the ground floor. It is advisable to contact the Gurdwara in advance to check availability. Suggest an Edit Upload Photos ![Marker](https://unpkg.com/leaflet@1.9.4/dist/images/marker-icon.png) Gurudwara Sahib Sandakan Leaflet Get Directions → ### Contribute Help improve this page. Suggest edits, add photos, or share information about this Gurdwara. Suggest an Edit